Across the Ocean - Kyra Cooney-Cross

Chapter Fourteen - 72 hours

Charlie got home not long after Dad and Kyle left. I hadn't shed any tears, felt any panic, there was nothing like my usual reaction. Instead, I felt rage boiling inside me. 

Charlie was profusely apologizing, explaining how he'd mentioned to Jen, the lady who worked at the pub, that I was home and staying with him. 

He thought he had told her not to say anything, but within 30 minutes, he saw Dad and Kyle storming out of the pub in a fury. By the time he drove down the road, Dad and Kyle were already speeding out of his driveway.

I tried to go back to bed, but my mind was racing. I started packing my bags back up, feeling an overwhelming urge to leave.

 That's when my thoughts drifted to Kyra. I wished so much that she was here, to hold me and protect me from all of this. Then panic set in, I hadn't let them know I was safe. I quickly grabbed my phone and clicked on Kyra's name.

Within one ring, her worried voice filled my ears, "Ella, are you okay?"

Hearing her voice broke something inside me, and everything poured out of me in sobs. 

She was demanding answers between my cries, begging me to say anything, any word to let her know I was okay. I finally mustered the courage to speak.

"They don't want me," I choked out.

Her voice changed from panic to complete sorrow. "What do you mean?"

I explained everything, how Charlie had hidden me, all of Dad's harsh words, and Kyle's brief moment of remorse. She couldn't believe it. She was angry, worried, and hurt on my behalf. 

She told me she wanted me home, and I finally admitted, "I can't afford it."

She gasped, "You didn't book a flight home?"

I whispered quietly, "I can't change my flight, and I can't afford a new one." I was embarassed. 

With that, she said, "It'll be okay, Els."

I needed to sleep, so we said our goodbyes, and I promised I'd call her in the morning. 

Lying there in the dark, I felt a bit of the rage subside, replaced by a deep sorrow. Yet, knowing Kyra was there for me, even from afar, brought a small measure of comfort. I closed my eyes, hoping for some rest before facing another day.

When I finally woke up, the familiar sound of Australia's birds filled my ears. It was loud, a sound I used to sleep through but now found impossible to ignore. 

I got out of bed, the little home warm from the morning sun, and tiptoed outside. I expected Charlie to be gone, doing his early morning rounds around the farm. Instead, he was sitting at the dining table, newspaper in hand. His head snapped up as the floor creaked.

"What are you going to do?" he asked, not wasting any time.

I scoffed, seriously, this early? I shook my head. "I don't know."

He immediately interjected, "Kyle texted. If you're not gone by 9, your dad's coming back."

I rolled my eyes and sighed. "There are no buses today."

Charlie nodded and said simply, "I was planning on driving you."

I tilted my head and shook it. "You don't have to."

He smiled slightly. "You've done nothing wrong here. Let me." I nodded, and he put it to me plainly, "Just be ready soon. I don't have all day."

I smiled and nodded, disappearing back to my room. I immediately grabbed my phone and messaged Kyra.

'Charlie's going to drive me into the city. I'll just hang there for the week.'

 Before I even had a chance to put my phone down, it started ringing. Kyra's concerned voice filled my ears.

"You're not staying in the city." she pleaded. 

I protested immediately, "I have no choice."

She so calmly said "I bought you a flight home. Just get Charlie to drop you at the airport."

I scoffed, "Kyra, I didn't want you to do that."

She sounded annoyed, "You don't have a say."

I rolled my eyes. "What time? We're still five hours away."

She simply said, "Leaves at ten tonight. You'll be fine."

I nodded reluctantly. "Thanks seriously, thank you"

She sighed and said, "Just call me when you get to the airport, then when you're in Dubai, and then I'll be there to pick you up from Heathrow, I don't need to panicking over you again."

I smiled and thanked her one last time, before ending the call so Charlie and I could leave.

The drive was silent, and surprisingly flew by. We arrived and Charlie hugged me, apologised once again and told me not to be a stranger.

The last time I was in the Sydney Airport Departures terminal, I was saying goodbye to my family. It was the last time I saw my mum and the last time I saw Laura. This time, I couldn't wait to get home. London, I guessed, was home now. Hope Town was nothing but the past.

We arrived at the airport, and I walked over to the Emirates desk, lining up in Economy. The line was slightly longer than I'd thought. As I approached the smiling man, I forced a smile back.

"What's the name?" he asked, all cheery.

"Eliza Parker," I replied.

He frowned, and I panicked a little.

"You could have gone in the business line," he said as he typed aggressively on his keyboard.

"Sorry?" I was confused.

"You've got a business class ticket, love."

I shook my head, pretending to remember. "Sorry, I forgot."

Kyra was an idiot. I didn't need business class. I didn't even need a flight home. But just like Kyra had done for most of my life these days, I was experiencing things I never thought I would. 

Although I felt out of place the Emirates lounge was amazing, the food delicious, and the time went by quickly. 

My first flight was a dream. I sat in a pod all by myself, and as the plane ascended, restaurant quality food met my table. Shortly after, I was laid flat in a bed. I was literally lying flat on a bed thousands of kilometres up in the sky.

My layover in Dubai felt like routine at this point. I had been here not even 72 hours before. The next flight was just as comfortable as the first. I flew through customs in London, and as I walked out of the Arrivals gate, my whole world slumped. 

Kyra was standing there, arms crossed, waiting. I ran at her and launched myself into her arms. I crumbled.

"I love you" I whispered through my tears.

"I love you too" she replied, holding me tightly.

For the first time in days, I felt like everything might just be okay.